Hi,

I will be importing a mkiv 1997-2001 twin turbo Supra shortly, my first question is can any one recommend a company to import through, I don't mind paying a bit more for good service and peace of mind. I'm currently looking at J-spec as their prices seems reasonable their service good and the price includes all costs (compliance, transport, etc) so it's pretty much to your door ready to drive.

My second concern is finance, I will need a loan for approximately 15k, atm I have 15k saved, I want 30k all up so I can cover any costs if something goes wrong, whatever I have left I will pump straight back into the loan. So hopefully the loan by the time I receive my car will only be ~12k, I will then sell my current car 00 N16 pulsar sedan, hopefully pick up ~8k for it (Redbook 6.9-8.5k), this leaves me with a 4k loan, I am able to pay off $500 a week but will set my minimum repayments at $250 a week to be on the safe side. So what I am looking for (best case scenario I know), 1 year or below, low interest rate, minimal early repayment fee, low fees. Does anyone know of a loan which will suit my needs?

The next thing is insurance, are there any places people would recommend getting insurance from? I'm 21, never had any accidents and only 1 speeding fine, no dui's etc. I am a confident non-dickhead driver and will also be doing a defensive driving course before I get my car. I would prefer lower premiums with higher excess (within reason of course). Any suggestions?

If I've overlooked anything or you have any other random bits of advice that's relative then please by all means.

Cheers

Lindsay

Cant help you on much, but, pretty much stay away from the big banks for car loans. Higher rates, and alot charger you extra for paying it off early. Credit unions, and other smaller banks (bank of QLD etc), tend to be more flexible, however, are often more strict on their credit ratting process.

As for insurance, still being under 25 I reken Just cars would be the best. They will insure imports, allow your to lower your premium while increasing your excess. They will pretty much cover all mods, and, are kinds to those who have lost their license in the past. Ive got a few friends with imports, and Just Cars has seemed to provide the best combination of price, and ability to mod.

import with J-Spec

insurance with justcars

yea i know 2 people with cars from j spec. i want a vzr pulsar

just cars might be the only place that will insure you, being an import and twin turbo not many of the normal places will want to know you.....try shannons too

with just cars you do pay through the nose and the excesses are pretty high.....im paying $1400 a year for full comp on my aristo (same engine) although im only 19

I imported my old Supra TT through J-Spec a few years ago.

Unfortunately, it was during the much maligned "rule change" period introduced by the Goverment to restrict gray market imports, which had me jumping through hoops and outlaying a lot of extra $$$ just to have the car in Australia legally.

Whilst it prob wasn't J-Spec's fault, I had to do do a lot of the leg work myself, which left a bitter taste to the whole affair.

The car itself was magnificent, a lot of fun to drive. You'll love it - just be sure to buy a grey or black one!

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sweet car man, looks very nice, yeh i am hopeing for a black one. What sort of stuff did you have to go through and have things changed or will i have to go through the same crap?

Just cars insurance quote premium of $1725 arghgh that with all the mods i want to do listed etc and the car insured for 28000. Standard Excess is $400, age excess is $550 and something called Plus Vehilce Excess is $2000 ! wtf is plus vehicle excess??

I'd imagine the "plus vehicle excess" is another premium charge they work out based on the type of car. Ie a small 4 cyl engine in a Charade or similar won't have a premium excess of $2k, but a car with the potential to be extremely powerful has a higher risk in their eyes of crashing/damage/theft etc, so they want an extra large premium on it. Though this is a guess, could be something completely different

Yeah man, the plus vehicle excess is because of the car. My bro has a 2000 wrx, his vehicle excess is $900 though, then standard excess is $600, and then driver under 22-24 is another $600! Then theft excess is ANOTHER $900! THEN the Ad-Just excess is... Yep another $500... LOL dont know where just car pulled all these excesses out of, but their the cheapest insurance around for performance cars and young drivers, so i guess you just deal with it...
Whatever you do, just dont smash or let your car get stolen lol, the excesses will send you broke

I've seen some in Aust go for around the low 20k mark. Perhaps you want to explore that option first?

Of course my general advice is not to get it to begin with.

Its a beautiful car but lets face it, they're all getting older.

looking at the insurance premiums, excess and loan repayment, its certainly doesn't look like you'll ahve much left to cover any (and there will be) repairs and unforeseen costs that will come up.

At 30k you can almost walk in a pick up a demo ford XR5 from most dealers with a bit of haggling (not that i'm pushing the car but but it seems like a value for moeny performance car) and then you have warranty for the next couple of years.

:edit to include the below advice:

of course take it from an older (and hopefully wiser) man and but something cheap and reliable for your 15 k and save up for a house.

Advise I wish I took when i was your age.

For anyone that's interested, there are 2 wrecked supra's at a wreckers near laverton north/derrimut in Melb. Can provide details if need be. One's got the engine/turbo intact and the other is a body. p slam them both together with magic powder results a supra with moving wheels i thought about it for myself but nah...